Accident in the Otaki River.

Manawatu Herald, 4 July 1896, Page 2

Accident in the Otaki River.

On Tuesday morning last a serious, , accident happened to Mr Knott, temperance lecturer, at the mouth of the Otaki River. It appears that Mr Enott, who was driving in ft... trap, wished to get to Paraparaumu. He made enquiries as to the best place to cross the Otaki River, bat evidently misunderstood the direotiooß given him. Instead of going over the proper lord, Mr Knott endeavoured to cross the river at its mouth. His horse had no sooner set foot in the stream, then down it went head foremost into abont twelve feet of water. Acting with great presence of mind, Mr Knott managed with great difficulty to get .„ on to the struggling animal's back, '""■ and extricate it from the vehiole. He swam the horse to shore, and, with the kind assistance of Messrs Coventry and Hughes, succeeded in dragging the van out of the stream. .... The damage to the van was not very serious, but almost the whole of the contents were lost or rendered use* , less. Much sympathy is felt for Mr ..... Enott, who was unfortunate enough to lose two cameras, three sets of camera stands, limelight lantern, an excellent collection of lantern slides, and several other minor articles. Mr Enott estimates his loss at fully £30. Mr Powell placed his boat at Mr Enott's disposal, in order to make a thorough search for the missing articles, but nothing of any value was recovered. Those well acquainted with the scene of the accident, consider Mr Enott very fortunate in escaping with his lifei— Otaki Ifait. . . .....